Don Everhart has retired. Here are some of my favorite Everhart medal and coin designs.

U.S. Mint sculptor-engraver Don Everhart working on the 2015 March of Dimes silver dollar. Everhart also designed the gold $5 coin in the 2016 National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Program (background) and the Nevada State quarter (inset), among many others.

If you collect modern U.S. coins, or if you use coins in day-to-day business, you’ve seen and touched the artwork of one of America’s great living sculptors, Don Everhart.

Don joined the staff of sculptor-engravers at the Philadelphia Mint in January 2004, following a career as a designer and sculptor at the Franklin Mint and as a freelance artist creating figurines, plates, coins, medals, and other works for companies such as Walt Disney Co. and Tiffany, and for international mints such as the Royal Norwegian Mint and the British Royal Mint.

Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee member Dennis Tucker and U.S. Mint sculptor-engraver Don Everhart at the June 21, 2017, CCAC meeting.

I got to know Don in recent years over the course of several visits to the Philadelphia Mint. Whitman Publishing numismatic director Q. David Bowers and I went to Philadelphia to meet the Mint’s engraving staff, tour the production areas, and research in the archives. More recently, since joining the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee in 2016, I’ve benefited from Don’s expertise as he advised the CCAC on technical and artistic questions.

Last Thursday, July 27, 2017, Don Everhart retired from his thirteen-and-a-half-year career at the United States Mint.

He’ll continue to pursue his calling as an artist, working on commissions and personal projects. “I’m retiring while I’m still young enough to enjoy retirement,” he told me recently, noting that he won’t miss the daily 35-mile commute into Philadelphia’s Historic District. The change will give him more time to spend with his family and pursue longtime hobbies and interests such as cycling and music.

Don Everhart designed and/or sculpted more than 100 coins and medals for the United States—a remarkable portfolio ranging from State quarters to silver and gold commemoratives and Congressional Gold Medals, among others. This week, in a series of articles for Mint News Blog, I’ll explore some of my favorite Everhart designs, starting with his first U.S. coin, the 2006 State quarter for Nevada.

Nevada State Quarter, 2006

The 2006 Nevada State quarter—the first U.S. coin designed and sculpted by Don Everhart.

After he joined the Mint staff, Don’s first projects were sculpting other artists’ coin designs, and designing and sculpting medals. Finally in 2005 he sculpted the first coin of his own design: the 2006 State quarter for Nevada.

The Nevada coin debuted eight years into the Mint’s incredibly popular State quarters program, which started in 1999 as a way to commemorate each state in the order it entered the Union. Before long millions of Americans were searching their pocket change and collecting the coins in folders, albums, colorful maps, and other holders. The program was a hit for the United States Mint, and brought many new coin collectors to the hobby.

By 2005 the State quarter series was well under way and it included some finely done and nicely balanced designs. But it also included a few that collectors considered bland, cluttered, or even awkward, with state symbols jumbled together in a hodgepodge. The Mint’s artists were somewhat constrained by guidance received by the states’ governors, who decided on motifs and themes based on input from commissions and the public. This led to, for example, Arkansas’ quarter featuring a faceted diamond, marshlands, a flying mallard duck, and stalks of rice. Try putting all of that onto a one-inch canvas! Louisiana’s quarter commemorated the Louisiana Purchase with an outline map of the continental United States and a highlighted area representing the territory purchased in 1803. Complicating that simple motif, it also included a brown pelican (the state bird) and a trumpet with musical notes (representing New Orleans as the birthplace of jazz).

As he worked on the 2006 Nevada quarter in 2005, Don Everhart had a menu of specific design elements that he had to use: wild horses, sagebrush, the sun rising over the mountains, and the phrase THE SILVER STATE. Artfully combining these elements, he created a tableau that is, in my opinion, one of the most dramatic and effective in the State quarter program. The wild horses, for which Nevada is famous, are shown in energetic motion. The mountains and rising sun are placed in the central background. The mountains are solid and have depth and texture, but they don’t distract from the main scene. Rather they subtly add to its context. Everhart used the sagebrush, another well-known symbol of the American West, to frame the central composition, placing THE SILVER STATE on a banner front and center, tying the elements together. Adding to the dramatic action of the design, the horse in front is actually leaping over the banner, as if jumping off the coin.

This was a remarkable first coinage design—but it was just the beginning.

Well the 225th Anniversary Enhanced Uncirculated Coin Set goes on sale today at noon. eBay has them on pre-sale with some pretty good markups. I was kinda surprised these don’t bear the “P” mint mark. On the fence if I will order one. I don’t need the quarters or the dollar.

Don Everhart is an expect in his field. The USM will be losing a great artist.

Now….I predict that the release of the 225 EU sets today will equate to one of the larger collaborations between the USM and the TPG’s.
This is a great set for the collector, but it can easily be seen as a nightmare for the flipper.
The real money to be made from these most likely will be in graded form. So let’s get that CLCT moving up!

Wow, that was TOO fast! I was in at 12:00 and out by 12:01. Order confirmed. I took 5 sets. And I don’t flip…….never, ever. This just seemed like an inexpensive set to grab and hold on to. Good Luck to all!

Wow, I was going to buy 5 sets or so, but was working and forgot. I looked at the clock and saw 11:07 (CT). I thought, “Oh, crap!” and went to the site. Alas, it was too late. Amazing what no HHL can do!

No problems ordering, but the “Do you want to take our survey” popped up. This is only my second order this year so I picked up a few other things I have on my list to save on the shipping. I even took about 10 seconds to review my order to be sure I had all of the items I intended to purchase. If anyone is looking at gold items you may want to get them today because it looks like the price will rise one bracket tomorrow.

I too only bought 2 sets, I can’t believe how quickly these went to “currently unavailable” status. I wonder if the mint just put that up to drive up demand on these and will put them back on sale later on.

My guess is there will be 10,000 sets (each) for all three U.S. Mint gift shops (i.e. Denver, Washington, and Philadelphia), and nearly the same number for the show. Therefore, 225,000 – 40,000 = 185,000 sets (via U.S. Mint website).

Complicate this by the fact that they (i.e. the U.S. Mint) will not have all the packaging they’ll need (e.g. 20%; 45,000 sets), and I would realistically bring this number down to 140,000 set (via U.S. Mint website) available on the first day of sales.

In a past post, I theorized it would only take one person with deep pockets to buy all of these and corner the market. May not have been one person, but it obviously has happened. I don’t think us collectors sold this out in seven minutes. Another rough lesson from the mint. Popular coins, 225K, low price, no limit = immediate sell out.

This is why my Mint purchases are way down this year. Artificial hype for a large mintage product. The Mint’s gift to dealers and flippers, but you need to sell them quick before people wise up. Congrats to the folks that got what they needed for their collections, and not on the backs of other collectors and hobby they are killing. Sour grapes? Nope, I’m actually thankful the Mint itself is slapping me out of this money pit. I’ve stopped buying all the usual mint set dreck. Look no further than these pages in the not too distant future when you contemplate why no one wants your non-PM coins. It’s all cataloged here for posterity. It says a lot about the condition of the hobby when more buy to resell, then collect.

No brainer, folks. If it took just 2 minutes for the 17 Congratulations set to sell out with 75K available, then it stands to reason that 225K would go in 6-7 minutes. Probably upwards of 200K were bought by the big boys with again, NO HHL. That’s what no HHL will do even though there wasn’t much talk about this release. Gotta out think those deep pocketed bad boys folks, if you don’t want to pay a 100% mark up an hour later. Not sure if they’ll be offered again, like Louis predicts. Congrats to those that got sets. You’ll probably make out like a bandit–already e-Bay BIN is $59.95 & up…

When the big orders pick out the dregs there should be a few in the am Saturday sale. But don’t hold your breath cause there gone! But yep that was fun and the way we like it . Sorry to those that missed out. But by now?”>”>”>”>?

For anyone that wants a set and did not get one, just wait a while. Don’t be foolish and feel the need to get one now. Why? There are plenty out there and the dealers and HSN are just trying to control the market on these. If they were HHL of 2 they would be there for a year. What does that tell you???

It is the suckers that will buy into this now. Human Nature is a funny thing and very predictable. Those that understand human nature know how to profit from it . . .

@Rob, “For anyone that wants a set and did not get one, just wait a while. Don’t be foolish and feel the need to get one now. Why? There are plenty out there and the dealers and HSN are just trying to control the market on these. If they were HHL of 2 they would be there for a year. What does that tell you???

It is the suckers that will buy into this now. Human Nature is a funny thing and very predictable. Those that understand human nature know how to profit from it . . .”

I thinks that’s very sound advise and spoken by someone that don’t Chase…

” If they were HHL of 2 they would be there for a year. What does that tell you???” Agreed. That’s why the Mint goes with NO HHL…

It will be tough to cherry pick these sets and return the dogs since (as far as I know) each group of coins is sealed together, so you can’t swap out one coin here or there to build a perfect set. Also, I think that there will be less focus on graded sets – with so many coins it would be a few hundred dollars to get all of them slabbed.

As for the ordering process, I have seen these situations often enough to know that there is no way the Mint can please everyone. If HHL limits are low (one or two coins), for example, people complain that the offering is not a good investment as it does not sell out fast (or at all). If there are no HHL limits and an offering sells out fast, then people complain about that. The bottom line is that the rules are announced in advance, so people need to play by them. I have gotten in on most of the hot issues over the past several years, and of those that I tried for I only missed the Ike dollar reverse proof. Just be logged on before noon and place your order the minute (second) the window opens.

If the EU set becomes a regular thing then the value of these may drop. But, if they remain a special/unique issue then I think the value will increase, as most of the coins will not be done in EU again.

I can see the TV add for the EU cent. Mintage of only 225K compared to the king of them all (1909S-VDB) mintage of 484K. Get a SP70 version for only $29.95 compared to over $1K for the 09S-VDB.

There are more cent collectors than any other series and this is a unique specimen for that series.

The cent breakouts should more than cover the demand for the dime, nickel and dollar. Not sure about the Kennedy half, but if the yearly sales of the P&D ones are any indication, there are quite a few collectors of that series also. I could see that one going for $29.95 again.

I think this set was priced well and the mintage was low enough that I don’t see it turning into a nightmare for those buying in the $50 to $60 range.

So looking at the mintage for these coins, aren’t these the lowest non proof Lincoln penny, the lowest minted Jefferson nickle, the lowest minted Roosevelt dime, and the lowest non proof Washington quarter? Is that correct? Why did people not think this would be a quick SO?

@ Teach, The 1997 Matte Jefferson Nickel has a mintage of 25K. I don’t think that is considered proof. The proof dimes in the March of Dimes set were 75K. Also I think some of the early proof Roosevelt dimes were lower. Still a great set, something to offer for so many different kinds of collectors.

People on Ebay are advertising as a sell out,but there is a difference between a sellout and unavailable they could return at a later date,because I have bought things in the past myself at a later date,then it sold out.

17XC: Order # USM 05205XXX
Dumb luck prevailed – I had completely forgotten about above order until by chance happened to look at my monthly planner @ approx. 11:58am. Subsequently I have received USM kick back email confirmation despite mad rush through internet to USMint site. Seems that once again I lost my will to resist and surrendered to being part of the herd. Note: the order was placed @ approx 12:09 P ET.

I violated my oath not to purchase anything from the Mint because of their 4 April 2017 sale structure 17RF – Congratulations set.

At that time , my aggravation resulted in vow avoid the Mint , save money so as to occasionally collect pre 1933 gold. Concurrently, I was approaching terminal velocity to store U.S.Mint packaging ..a separate issue that the mint does not/refuses to address.

eBay has lots BIN @ $55 for those who have the JONES for this clad set. I don’t know the long term but clad sets are like face when you try to sell most of them. S mint clads proof only now EU. The no HH limit is just pure BS Dave & Tinto have it right…….should have been a 10 unit HH limit for a wek @ least. THE MINT DOES NOT CARE ABOUT COLLECTORS, SELLOUTS, PROFITS & BIG BOYS ARE THERE NEW BASE….. I am long over the mint since the C&C disasters, etc. And not sour grapes I have gotten many sellouts in the past, Botantical 5c, fractional Buffalos, etc. The MANAGEMENT @ the mint is useless to the collecting public…..

THEIR base, the U.S. Mint, proudly owned & operated by Mike Mishak, MCM, PCGS, NGC & anyone else with deeeeeeeep pockets & a $$ to profiteer on the collector’s addiction (mine has been killed by the Mint about a year ago.) As said by Tommy Lee Jones to The Fugitive HArrison Ford, as to your guilt, or ANY new the US Mint offerings “I just don’t care!” Now if they did a re-issue of the FLowing hair $1 I’d be in, but that is not PC!! Maybe a silver center large cent, nope let’s go the Priest & jerricurl route…wtf

cagcrisp – Thanks for the input on the weekly sales for the US Mint. Not sure how many people look at it, but I do plus I track specific items that are of interest to me. I appreciate all of your efforts

I see another big return week for one item the 2017 Unc ASE. minus 7,246.
Looks to be another one of those big boys returns that did not proof out as MS69 or MS70????

I see that National Parks coin with John Muir/Teddy Roosevelt so I wonder if that was his design. It’s one of my favorite coins.

I pass the old Franklin Mint on US 1 on my way to Longwood in Kennett Square a lot. I was never a collector of their stuff but some of it was nice. Sturgeon’s Law tells us that 90% of everything is crap (although junk silver coins are an exception) but the other 10% is really nice.

I was at a conference in the Central time zone. I excused myself at 10:55am CST and went to the men’s room and went into a stall. I placed my order at 11:01am CST by using the website NOT THE APP. I successfully placed my order for two, and returned to the conference. Lol. What a picture! But I’m glad I got in. I like the 225th Anniversary aspect of this offering and the EU finish.

When I’ve been shut out in the past, it was the instability of the Mint’s phone app.

Diana- I’ll write more later about my experience with the mint’s app. I usually use the app only during regular and casual shopping mode.

The ANA Fair in Denver, in my opinion, is GREAT!! Could handle more of a crowd, but that will come. Earlier, I would estimate a good 150 people waiting in line to buy what’s allowed of the Enhanced Set. I’m told are SO , never attempted to buy as I kept to the tables trying to add to my CC collection. Was fortunate to find and buy 2 on my forever want list of Proof Indians. Again. A Great Show. And I look forward to tomorrow’s as well.

Goat & dusty, what a buy IF they get the $$ but it is disgusting that the mint encourages such despite trying to be collector friendly. In the long run, I hope the mass buyers have to use mustard on their EU coins, but likely never much under $30 a set….MAYBE Do 200,000 people collect clad unc sets? I can’t sell my bag$ of S mint ATB 25c for much over face…they are “rare” ‘S’ mints too!!!!

Forget about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing . The index finger doesn’t know what the middle finger is doing. 500 set limit at the show booth, 20 set limit two blocks away at the shop. The make this sh*t up as they go.

cagcrisp says,”Just How many coins will be Slabbed at Denver with 500 coins per customer?????”

It’s actually 5000 coins per customer. With no bulk discount, if you use the deal earthling mentioned ( the PCGS special label for $35 each coin) you’re looking at a $175,000 PCGS bill! So a decent amount may stay in OGP .

HHL argument…
I agree that some issues will be met with anger when sold out in less than (7) minutes, disdain for a product with too low of a HHL that holds on forevvvvvvvvver…..
I’ve read a lot of comments that could easily turn into arguments, but so far it’s been pretty cool here 🙂
Here is what my proposal would be on all products….
HHL of 1 for the first 24 hours.
HHL of 5 for the remainder of a 7 day period from release date.
Thennnnnnnn BAM!!! HHL lifted until sold out…………………….
Then pull all products after 18 months that haven’t sold……NO EXCEPTIONS.
My ear is clear of wax and eager to listen to other recommendations 🙂